Dan Bylsma, who would reportedly be the top candidate if the Penguins were swept and he was subsequently fired, will stay with the Penguins. Pens GM Ray Shero announced today that Bylsma will get a two-year extension. Dallas Eakins, who was also on the Blueshirts' list, was hired earlier this week by the Oilers.

So does that mean Alain Vigneault could be the favorite for the job? He reportedly interviewed with the Rangers in La Quinta yesterday. And as The Post's Larry Brooks wrote, if the Rangers think he's the right one for the job, they need to jump on hiring him soon. "Vigneault not only has a long personal relationship with recently hired Stars GM Jim Nill, but is hardly likely to wait if that means being odd man out in a game of musical chairs," he said.

Brooks also reported that while the Rangers have permission to interview another candidate, ex-Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, they haven't scheduled a meeting with him. The Coyotes' Dave Tippett, meanwhile, is sounding more and more unlikely as each day passes -- Josh Rimer of Sportsnet tweeted, "Tippett is currently building a house in [Phoenix]." Mark Messier is still in the running, of course.